Celtic have been synonymous with great goal scorers throughout their history, but only McGrory, Lennox, Larsson and Quinn scored more than Stevie Chalmers, who died this morning, aged 83. But, unlike all the other greats in our history, Stevie scored the winning goal in a European Cup Final. If he did nothing else in his entire time as a footballer, this would be enough to ensure a vaulted place in the history books, but Stevie did much more.
In a portent of what lay ahead, Celtic were without a league title for 12 years when Stevie scored a hat-trick against Rangers in January 1966. That feat boomed across the land: Celtic were in command. The next nine league titles would go to Parkhead. Goals galore followed for Stevie, who rejoiced in his role as Celtic centre forward.
Stevie’s journey to the top was unconventional. Serious illness blighted his early adulthood and he was 23 before he joined Celtic, his first senior club. He played through the difficult early 60s until the return of Jock Stein, whose magic sparked the most remarkable run of success known in British sport.
Like his great captain Billy McNeill, Stevie suffered dementia in recent years. Both lived the lives of Celtic supporters before becoming players and legends. Like all of that great team, Stevie remained accessible to fans throughout his life. They were magnificent on the field and magnificently normal human beings off the field. It was as though Stevie would never allow himself to believe the full impact of what he did.
April 2019 has taken its toll on our greatest team ever. Rest in Peace, Stevie.
We also lost one of our most respected CQN’ers yesterday, MurdochauldandHay. Rest in Peace, Stephen.
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SUPERSUTTON on 29TH APRIL 2019 11:12 PM
I usually connect with your posts really positively but I wanted to comment on your most recent, with respect.
I know a little more generally about Neuro Degenerative Diseases that I would wish to know, mostly through watching relatives suffer and die from them. I’ve just taken a close interest in the whole range of this horrible range of illnesses.
Firtsly, dementia (loss of mental power) is a generic term, not a disease in itself. Any condition/illness/injury/drug etc that causes significant brain damage, at any age, can cause dementia.
The causes of dementia include
– head injury
– strokes
– brain blood vessel damage (vascular)
– fluid on the brain
– medication or drug abuse
– CJD (human version of Mad Cow)
– organ failure or severe medical illness
– neuro psychiatric disorders
– neuro-degenerative diseases (Alzheimers, Parinsons, MND, Huntingtons & soon CTE)
The versions that most of our older relatives are likely to suffer from are Alzheimers and Vascular dementia.
Barabra Windsor will have one of those two varieties.
My sister in law, brother in law had Alzheimers. My other sister in law had early onset Alzheimers. Another sister in law had Progressive Supra Nuclear Palsy before she passed away.
My son died of MND, which is in the last of the categories above, along with Parkinsons, Huntingtons, Lewy Bodies, and Alzheimers.
Within that last category is where we find the probability that some of these diseases are “caused” by or at least exacerbated by repeated head trauma – blows to the head, such a boxer might get or a footballer, particularly old school whose main strength was heading the much heavier water soaked balls. Jeff Astle comes into that category as might Billy McNeill, but the only way to be sure is by an examination of the brain tissue – post mortem. (Billy didn’t develop his dementia until he was over 70 so it seems unikely in his case)
The excellent Will Smith movie, Concussion, outlines how the effect of repeated and untreated concussion to brains (on American footballers in that case) led to what is now known as CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy). This will eventually be included in the list of diseases alongside Alheimers, MND etc.
Not every footballer who has dementia will have a neurodegenerative disease, and not all of those that do have such a disease will have one that has been linked to repeated head trauma. MND & CTE have been linked to repeated head trauma, but, there are also people who suffer from those diseases who’ve never had any head trauma at all.
It seems pretty clear that the earlier onset of CTE & MND suggest a head trauma factor. Most people who develop dementia are much older so in the vast majority of cases Alzheimers & brain blood vessel atrophy are the most likely causes.
Jeff Astle developed his illness at a realtively young age. John Cushley was 65 when he died from MND, while Jimmy was 61 and both of them are within the normal range for men who develope the illness. Fernado Ricksen developed MND at a very young age, almost identical in fact to Lou Gehrig’s age, so head trauma may very well be a factor with him. Gehrig himself played competitive American football in College. Rugby player Dodie Weir is another classic head trauma MND sufferer, as was Joost Van der Westhuizen, the South African rugby player. Significantly, Jeff Astle’s brain was examined post mortem at the request of his family & that is the only reason his head trauma was identified. Dr Wille Stewart of the Southern General was key to much of that discovery.
Long & short, it’s a little like smoking I suppose. Some people smoke their whole lives and die of boredom in their 90s while some non smokers develop cancer and die young. There are so many individual & environmental variables that predictability is fraught & complex.
We do know about most of the different causes of dementia but not how, & due to nature of the “head trauma” variants we can never know for certain if trauma is to blame until science develops a way to scan brains for the type of damage that is only possible nowadays after someone dies.
Onwards with science.
Hope you are well.
HH
RIP MAH N Stevie Chalmers ghuys are going to be sorely missed HH
Bluegrass Celt,
Sad to read about your mammy
Thoughts and prayers with her.
Good morning CQN from a sad Garngad
Another Garngad great gone RIP Stevie Chalmers
St Rochs secondary school spent some money a few years ago and done away with the red ash park and now has an all weather park and there is a plaque on the fence which reads “welcome to Stevie Chalmers Park Lisboa 25/05/67” with 2 European cups at either end.
Hail Hail Stevie, what a team big Jock is gathering above.????
D. :)
Bluegrass celt.
Keep yer mammy close bud.
HH.
Fool time whistle
My auld man had dementia before he passed, and it it was Vascular Dementia, narrowing of the veins to the brain I believe???
God bless anyone or family member having to go through such a terrible thing?
D. :)
Rest in peace fellow cqn’r MurdochAuldandHay
You fought a heroic battle,,you are at rest now
God bless you and look over your remaining
Loved ones at this sad and sore time
Our lady of Fatima look over Stephen Houston may he rest in peace
HH
You’ve picked a good word for Stevie Chalmers – magnificent. That was the attitude he was. What a chaser. See the ball, hit the ball.
Earlier this season, when the Wolf was hounding our back line at Celtic Park during that first half v Salzburg, especially the speed he shut down our centre halfs, I turned to my sister and said it’s like they have stevie chalmers playing against us. Rest in peace.
———————————–
Heard a follow up to make Jozo smile at the weekend after the header. A regular attender in his west end parish, the celebrant and congregation offered up a round of applause in his honour at the end of mass on Sunday. Nice one.
OLDTIM67 on 29TH APRIL 2019 8:34 PM
FAVOURITE UNCLE.
I’m not very well at the moment, but if I feel well enough to go on Friday I’ll let you know before hand.
…………………………
OLDTIM67
IF You and some of the Bhoys are Meeting in the BV on Friday,I would love to join You ? I lost my previous phone last summer, and with it BT’s Phone number, so it would be great to catch up after Big Billy’s Funeral on Friday ?
Ive left 2/3 message son here asking BT to get in touch via email etc, but no response so far, maybe he doesnt have it anymore ? i know he posts on FaceBook, but I dont do Facebook.
I hope Your well enough to travel through, and enjoy Your company once again ?
HH
At the risk of stating the bleeding obvious, i think we are in for a tough, Nervy time against Aberdeen this weekend, so I will be having Two Correct Score Bets on the game ?
Celtic to win either 1-0, or to win 2-1 ?
THEN AGAIN….
Given THAT Famous Scoreline in Lisbon in 1967, and the passing of Billy and Stevie…and the fact that Jozo must have stood on Big Billys shoulders to score that winner against Killie ….all the Omens are pointing to Celtic winning “2-1” this Saturday, and clinch 8 in a Row…….there can’t be any other Scoreline…surely ?
So, given ALL the recent Omens…maybe just the One Bet will suffice….Celtic – 2 v Aberdeen – 1 ?
HH
morning bhoys from a partly sunny Cheshire, bluegrass celt thoughts and prayers.hh.
Rest In Peace MurdochAuldandHay , Stephen.
Rest In Peace Stevie Chalmers that goal makes you and us great.
Thoughts with both families and friends who have lost their loved ones.
Take care everyone. Time to win that 8 in a row this weekend.
The Bookie Odds for Celtic to win 2-1 v Aberdeen are…” 7/1″ ! Yet another “Omen” surely , so I wee £20 Stake has been placed. My Bookie is Bet365, I dont know the Odds with other Bookies.
In Honour of Stevie, I must also check and see the Odds for Celtic’s Number 9, to score the winner v Aberdeen, especially with 85 Minutes Played…just like Lisbon ?
HH
Glasgow Cup Final Tonight…Celtic v Sevco at Celtic Park….How do I get in to watch…will someone give me a Lift Over ?
I see that this Final is for Under 20’s, so I hope to get a Bet on with my Bookie Today although its NOT on their Betting Lists as yet, so I will give them a Call, and ask “Why” ?
They wouldnt take Bets on the Youth Cup last week ( Under 18’s), but surely they will have to take Bets on this game tonight as they take Bets from Under 19’s from all over the world every day of the week.
Tonights Final….Celtic – 2 v Sevco – 1…it couldnt happen could it, and Celtic’s Number 9 scoring the winner ?
HH
BLUEGRASS,
Try and stay strong mate.
HH
Hoopy birthday Jim Craig ???????? HH
Bluegrass condolences mhate YNWA
CQN at its best………….
and memories of a Dear Green Place, recounted perfectly.
Thanks for sharing.
HH
………………………………………………………..
KELVINBHOY on 29TH APRIL 2019 10:27 PM
Its a long read but worth it. Super insight from Matthew Syed in The Times on Stevie Chalmers.
“When I think of Stevie Chalmers, I don’t just think of a fine footballer. I don’t just think of a remarkable man who overcame a bout of tuberculosis meningitis as a 20-year-old, spending six months in hospital and coming close to death, before signing for Celtic two years later.
I don’t just think of how much has changed in the game since those days, a time when players like Chalmers earned a few quid a week, lived in single-enders, and whose wives experienced little of the glamour associated with being a wag. “We had none of that,” Sadie, his wife, told me. “Our first home was a tenement in Denniston . . . We had one room that served as a bedroom, kitchen and living room, and the toilet was outside on the landing.”
The Celtic side that Chalmers thrived in had a keen sense of community, nurtured by Stein
Instead, I think about the concept of “community”. That was the word that seemed to reverberate through our conversation when I first got to know the great-uncle of my wife, Kathy. One of his first memories was hunkering down with his fellow Glaswegians in a shelter during World War Two, and when he started playing football, the game was defined by solidarity between teammates, and between players and fans.
Chalmers would win his highest fame by scoring the winning goal in the 1967 European Cup final, helping Celtic to become the first British team to win that special honour. But it was the make-up of that squad that remains so vivid: 15 players, each born and raised within 30 miles of Celtic Park, coached by a fellow Scot in Jock Stein who was not only an innovator in tactics, but had the wisdom to nurture a sense of community.
When you read the memoirs of Sir Alex Ferguson, you gain an insight into how social solidarity emerged from the dense tenements of Scottish industrialisation. The former boss of Manchester United has long argued that one of his strengths as a manager was tying the human instinct for connection to the beautiful game. “That’s team spirit,” he would say to new players, “when you give your life to someone. No one at the club ever wins a thing without the other ones.”
The Celtic side that triumphed in the European Cup had this spirit. They were not just a group of players who shared the same employer. They were not just united in receiving a pay cheque from the same institution. No, they were Celtic. Their identity was bound up with the club, with the city, and with each other. “There was an incredible togetherness,” Chalmers once told me. “Stein was a coach with a brilliant tactical brain, who changed things around a lot . . . But he realised that one of our biggest strengths was our unity, which he nurtured.”
“It wasn’t just the players who were close to each other, but also the families,” Sadie said when I interviewed her in 2017. “John Clark, Billy McNeill and Jimmy Johnstone used to get a lift every day into training from Jock Stein, who would meet them in his car at the bus stop. Stevie always used to room with Bobby Murdoch when they went away. You could have the team in a room with 500 people at a club function and, within minutes, they would be sitting together as a group, sharing stories. It is like a family more than a football club.”
Chalmers was a modest man, but he could occasionally be tempted to share his memories of the final of 1967, a night when Celtic shocked Inter, a team coached by the fabled Helenio Herrera, and masters in the catenaccio. Stein’s stroke of genius was to negate the man-marking of the Italians by instructing his players to run into unusual positions, freeing up space for the full backs to charge forward. As Chalmers put it in his autobiography: “With Willie Wallace and Bobby Lennox making similar runs and with our full backs overlapping frequently, it is easy to see how the Italians’ finely tailored marking system was rapidly coming apart at the seams.”
Chalmers continued to play in Celtic green and white for four years after that unforgettable night, before leaving the club, and ultimately working in the pools and hospitality departments. He remained physically fit (and very handsome) into his eighth decade, a single-figure handicapper in golf, a game he came to love.
It wasn’t until his mid-seventies that the family noticed the first signs of dementia, possibly caused by the heavy footballs used in his day, and his deterioration was both swift and cruel. When Rita, my mother in law, posted on the family WhatsApp group last week that Stevie was critically ill, the family braced itself. The last few years have been particularly tough for Sadie, who has cared for the man she loved, but who has had to witness the slow seeping away of memory and identity.
Chalmers will always be remembered as the man who scored that most celebrated of goals, but also as a wonderful father, husband, uncle and friend. In that interview in 2017, Sadie said: “I regularly sit down with Stevie and we look at photo albums of his grandchildren, and black and white shots of him playing in his Celtic strip. “Every now and again, there is a flicker of recognition. ‘That is me, isn’t it?’ he will say. ‘Yes, that’s you, darling,’ I reply. ‘You were a wonderful, wonderful player.’ ”
From Kelvinbhoy`s post @10:27:
” Chalmers will always be remembered as the man who scored that most celebrated of goals, but also as a wonderful father, husband, uncle and friend. In that interview in 2017, Sadie said: “I regularly sit down with Stevie and we look at photo albums of his grandchildren, and black and white shots of him playing in his Celtic strip. “Every now and again, there is a flicker of recognition. ‘That is me, isn’t it?’ he will say. ‘Yes, that’s you, darling,’ I reply. ‘You were a wonderful, wonderful player.’ ”
I am not a particularly emotional person but I found that very moving.
JJ
Bankiebhoy
I must have been typing as you posted.I agree, though, that it was worthy of a repost.
I also think Fooltimewhistle`s 2:39 post is very informative and worthy of a read.
JJ
Condolences and prayers to the friends and family of excellent CQNer, Murdochauldandhay, a fine gentleman.
It’s now a housing estate, but Belvidere Hospital [ on the ole London Road, next to the Celtic Club] was where we went to be taught Infectious Diseases. There was a picture of Stevie Chalmers, scoring that goal, on the wall.
‘He was a patient here’ explained the Consultant. ‘He had TB meningitis’.
It speaks volumes for Stevie Chalmers, and the care he received, that he recovered from an illness which at the time was usually a death sentence, to go on to play football at an elite level.
Rest in Peace, Stevie Chalmers.
Congrats to Callum McGregor on his double POTY award and to Kris Ajer for young POTY.
Broony got the goal of the season for his net buster.
We now have 3 games to go and need one point only. I think that is a comfortable lead and will be a comfortable win. No last day dramas this time.
The bold Pablo to St Peter ‘ We’re goin’ to need a bigger cloud’….
Let me tell you how it will be
There’s one for you, nineteen for me
‘Cause I’m the taxman, yeah, I’m the taxman
Happy Birthday to Jim Craig, although in recent Days to lose Two of Your Comrades, may mean a modest celebration for Jim , which is perfectly understandable ?
Jim Craig…the Bhoy who provide the inch perfect, weighted Pass to Big Tam in Lisbon for the equaliser….and I still say to this day that the Inter Player DIVED to win their Penalty…so many Hun Players would have been proud of that DIVE !
No doubt that… if Andy Walker had been a “Pundit” back then he would have said…” The Inter Player felt contact…and was Entitled to go down and win his Team a Penalty” !
Andy Walker would have wanted Jim Craig..Sent AFF…..Probably ?
HH
From earlier by Fool Tine Whistle, and worth reading: https://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/the-magnificent-stevie-chalmers/comment-page-6/#comment-3365303
Tine = Time…
TBB
Thanks. I should probably have provided the link in my 8:33 post.
JJ
SFTB
After our first game of the season, I told my Dundee United supporting mate that I had already seen the Player of the Year: Calum McGreggor. i also told him that Livingstone, our opponents that day, would be relegated :-))
JJ
Oops. One `g`
Andy Walker…You once were a Hero….NOT any more in my Eyes.
Packy Bonnar…Likewise.
Charlie Nicholas…Likewise.
Kris Commons….Likewise…
Maurice…LIKEWISE !
Given the amount of Soup taking that Packy Bonnar does these Days, I am Happy that back in the early 1980’s when Bonnar was trying to break into the 1st team, he was in the Pub one Saturday night with many other of the Celtic Bhoys from that Era, including Provan, McGarvey etc etc. The Pub was called “Archies” in Waterloo Street in Glasgow obviously, and Provan and McGarvey were always in most Saturday/Sunday nights. I was also a frequent Punter every week along with my Fitba team Mates at the time, the vast majority being Tims.
On this one particular Saturday night Packy Bonnar was with the rest of the Players, and was sitting right next to Big Peter Latchford. On my way back from the Bar after buying yet more rounds of drinks for my thirsty mates, i couldn’t resist and I went along every Celtic Player shaking their hands etc.
I shook Bonnars hand, and immediately also shook Big Peter’s hand and as I did so I said loud and clear….” Big Peter….Your STILL Number 1″ !
Bonnar didnt look too happy, but I couldnt care less, and on going back to my seat, some of my mates said ” that wisnae very nice Jimmy, saying that right in front of Packy Bonnar”.
I replied, ” Bonnar has YET to earn my Respect…Big Peter has earned MY Respect for several years now”.
In light of Bonnars “Soup Taking” and inane commentaries at times when he can NOT even tell who scored a Celtic Goal etc, and is getting paid for his anti Celtic Crap…I do hope that I seriously annoyed Big Packy that night in the Pub…even just for a minute or so ?
NO Regrets.
HH
I have Phoned Bet365 about getting a Bet on the Glasgow Cup Final tonight, and their “Traders” are looking into it, so I will check the Site again throughout the Day to see if they put Odds Up on their Site for the game ?
papajoe55 regarding Eugene….he is back home on the Brown Mountain over looking Killkenny ….and yes he is a character ….
Bluegrass….thoughts are with you and yours…..YNWA…
unfortunately the sad news continues as I am back home in Forfar….Big Vince Burns died on Friday …he was the lad I made inquiries for to be Hoopy …seems like an age ago now…so rest in peace Vince…a braw Forfar loon…
NB
If these things generally even themeselves out Celtic fans can look forward to 2 penalties in each of the last three games.
One for the CQN conspiracy theorists
Update on Celtic’s REAL director of football
“Agent David Dahan, who was involved in Efe Ambrose, Nir Bitton and Beram Kayal’s moves to Celtic, has been pictured outside the club’s ground with the summer transfer window fast approaching. (Daily Record)”
Saw a post from Eurochamps67 yesterday to the effect that before the weekend Celtic were 1/750 to win be title. EC67 mentioned that, now, you could no longer getting any odds. Just in case EC67 is looking in and wanting to invest some of his significant wealth for a quick, short term gain, with bet365 you can still get odds, of 1/2000 on us achievingtitle number 8 (EIGHT). Every £20 wagered will win you one whole penny.
To all the gamblers. Leigh Griffiths is our No.9. So maybe not a great bet for the weekend, but you never know por cierto.
RUGGYMAN,If the rumour about Lennon getting another shot of being the Coach at Celtic,me personally I will be disappointed,he had his chance,a few years back,but he choose to leave,he got the bullet at Hibs,did Celtic ask why he got sacked,you know the old saying a leopard never changes its spots,he is keeping quiet now,but wait till the pressure cranks up next season,then we will see the real leopard,so not for me ,to much trouble.
Another one of the family gone.
Vince Burns RIP.